Galana Road renamed after Pheroze Nowrojee in Kilimani

Galana Road in Nairobi’s Kilimani area has been officially renamed Pheroze Nowrojee Road in honour of the late Senior Counsel Pheroze Nowrojee, recognising his lifelong contribution to justice, human rights and democracy.

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The renaming ceremony, attended by family, friends, colleagues and Kenyans, marked a symbolic installation of Nowrojee’s legacy at the heart of the city he served.

Human rights activist Boniface Mwangi said the event went beyond a change of name, reflecting the enduring impact of Nowrojee’s work in Kenya’s legal and civic spaces.

He described Nowrojee as a principled defender of justice who stood firm even in difficult circumstances, both in courtrooms and in the broader fight for civil liberties.

“We gathered in Kilimani today to mark more than the renaming of a road. We gathered to install the legacy of the late Pheroze Nowrojee where it belongs, in the heart of the city where he lived and served so faithfully,” Mwangi said.

“Pheroze Nowrojee stood where it was not always safe to stand. He chose principle over convenience, defending those whose voices were being silenced and insisting that the law must protect, not punish, the people.”

According to Mwangi, Nowrojee’s work played a significant role in shaping Kenya’s democratic space, not only through litigation but also through mentorship, writing and public advocacy.

From the renaming, he said, Nowrojee’s legacy will take on a more permanent presence in the capital.

“From today, his name will no longer just be spoken in legal circles or remembered in stories—it is immortalised in the heart of the nation’s capital, a constant reminder of the standard he set and the responsibility we have to carry his legacy forward,” Mwangi said.

The renaming of the road is seen as a tribute to Nowrojee’s enduring influence on Kenya’s legal profession and human rights movement, cementing his place in the country’s public memory.

Senior Counsel Pheroze died on April 5, 2025, at the age of 84.

Pheroze was an Advocate of the High Courts of Kenya, Tanzania and Zanzibar with a practice mainly in constitutional, political and human rights cases.

The seasoned lawyer also made appearances in the High Courts of Uganda and the Seychelles.

Besides being a giant in the courtroom, Pheroze taught at the University of Dar-es-Salaam (1974-1977), the University of Nairobi (1979-1985), and the Kenya School of Law (1968-1970, 1978-1985).

He was an author, having penned four books, including Pio Gama Pinto: Patriot for Social Justice, A Vote for Kenya: The Elections and the Constitution, A Kenyan Journey and Conserving the Intangible.

In recognition of his work, Pheroze was subject to a couple of awards.

These include the International Commission of Jurists (Kenya) ICJ Jurist of the Year, 1995, the International Bar Association (IBA) Bernard Simons Human Rights Prize, 2002-2004, the Law Society of Kenya Roll of Honour, 2005, the Maasai People, Safeguarding Rights Award, 2007, and the CB Madan Constitution Prize 2014.

Pheroze was a BBC Africa Poetry Competition Prizewinner in 2001.

He was the Vice-Chair of the Ufungamano People’s Commission on Constitutional Reform 2000–2001. He was a Co-Chair of the Asian African Heritage Trust, an Indian Diaspora/Kenyan history trust.

According to ICJ, when the idea of creating a permanent headquarters for the Kenyan office began to take shape, Pheroze became the driving force behind turning that dream into a reality.

ICJ said that in his leadership and generosity, he rallied support from his closest circles, family and trusted friends, raising substantial funds that laid the foundation for what would become the ICJ Kenya House.

In July 2019, this vision was realized with the official opening of the office.

Pheroze has been described as a gentle giant and a defender of democracy, justice, and liberation.